A Mirror

It is our privilege to be allowed to be charitable; for only so can we grow. The poor man suffers that we may be helped. Let the giver kneel down and give thanks; let the receiver stand up and permit. See the Lord back of every being and give to Him. When we cease to see evil, the world will end for us, because to rid us of that mistake is its only object. To think there is any imperfection creates it. Thoughts of strength and perfection alone can cure it. Do what good you can, some evil will inhere in it; but do all without regard to personal result. Give up all results to the Lord, and then neither good nor evil will affect you.

Doing work is not religion; but work done rightly leads to freedom. In reality all pity is ignorance, because who is there to pity? Can you pity God? And is there anything else? Thank God for giving you this world as a moral gymnasium to help your development; but never imagine that you can help the world. Be grateful to him who curses you; for he gives you a mirror to show what cursing is, also a chance to practice self-restraint. So bless him and be glad. Without exercise power cannot come out; without the mirror we cannot see ourselves. . . .

What we need today is to know that there is a God and that we can see and feel Him here and now.

– Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks, July 25, 1895